You really do start wondering about Issa Diop’s position at West Ham United!
Since being tested positive for covid he has made just one appearance – against Palace – since November 7th before which he had appeared in just three Premier League games.
Tonight, oddly on the face of it, he was again left on the bench in preference to Craig Dawson after Fabian Balbuena was given a night off .
The young Frenchman’s situation is beginning to look a bit like Bournemouth’s Josh King who has made a single Championship appearance since November.
This is almost certainly because there’s a move lined up and the Cherries can’t afford an injury situation to ruin the chance of some sort of fee.
I have no special knowledge about Diop’s position but it really does start to look as though something similar may well be in the wind come January.
And the longer he remains absent with no explanations being given the more us conspiracy theorists will be assuming that something is on.
Dawson played well. Solid, reliable and effective.
Diop will start next time, give Ogbonna a break?
Maybe he (Diop) felt some pain during the warm up just before kick off? You never know…..
I wonder if Moyes has been told he has to sell to buy, considering we are light at centre back it would be odd but nothing surprises me with our board.
Winston’s return will sort all of this out. We are still only allowed to start with eleven players. We have nine seats available for potential substitutes. Plenty of room for everyone.
COYI
Firstly Dawson played a blinder and I think Moyes is genuinely rotating his squad to give them all game time at one of the busiest times. Secondly if Diop and Haller want to charter a private jet back to France then I don’t think anyone’s going to chase the pair to the airport. We should be able to recover fifty million for the pair of them.
I believe Diop is our best central defender. He was unlucky to lose his place in the team due to COVID Isolation. Whilst Dawson did OK tonight he is not the long-term answer Diop should be. So worry, he may want a transfer in January?
Ogbonno’s age is against him & Dawson / Balbuena not good enough to play consistently in PL!
???? Balbuena has been great this season. Oggy is awesome but 3 years ago he was no better than any of them and people were calling for his head. Haller actually played well last night if anybody cared to notice what goes against their personal prejudices. chased the ball up top out of possession, held the ball up better, made some nice passes and yet still barely had the ball come his way. i’m sure some of our own will blame HIM for that.
The contrast between Henry and John’s perspective is interesting. I think Diop is capable and will become our best CB. Defenders take time to develop. Stones and Baille are examples of CBs who looked really suspect 3 years ago and now, when matched with the right person, appear amazing.
Dawson and Balbuena are fine.
Will shout Haller a one-way bus ticket to Paris.
Didn’t Moyes say Diop wasn’t for sell! I like Diop but if we got offered £35m plus I’d sell. Bc that could get us a CF & CM maybe LB too if done shrewdly or on loan. Then get another. CB in summer if Alese & Baptiste stern ready. Though I would like to see Diop as DM as a sub. Think he has played there with Toulouse, has played RB, has some pace & could probably do a job in mid I’d needed. Bc if Souček or Rice get injured or COViD could use him there. But if Liverpool came in for him at anywhere around £35m & we could get Sima/Dia at £10m is bargain/ or even a punt on Junker who has been smashing it in Sweden be cheap wages & fee. Or Adam Armstrong probably get for £10-15m & he has been immense quick versatile gets in behind creates Clinical. Then linked with a few CMS Caicedo been nice but looks set for Man I at £4.5m, Kral or some Ligue 1 players bc Tele issues Fulgini I really like & few others. Lb Ligue 1 again Romain Perraud been massive 5 assists 4 goals attacking FB, Rico Henry who must be tall enough now, or older I’ve always loved Christian Gunter at Freiburg captain strong defender some height phsycical some pace LB or LWB & great cross 10 assists last season & 2nd most crosses into box behind Sancho. That’s if anyone wants Diop I’d definitely wouldn’t loan him to West Brom though unless Grady is coming back bc he could play LWB.
It would be a strange move to sell Diop when throughout the summer we were prioriising bringing in a centre back! Pleased Dawson had a great game. Still don’t understand why Haller plays more the worse he gets?
I’d be very disappointed if Dawson didn’t make regular appearances after last night’s showing. His experience and confidence were evident; the ‘new boy’ even marshalling Oggie and Fredericks.